Stepladder



Feb. 7, 1939.

M. J. LEWIS 2,146,020

STEPLADDER Original Filed May 16, 1 936 Qnventor .Me/yl'n J Lewis J m torneg Patented Feb. 7, 1939 PAT ENT OF F 16E I STEPLADDER Melvin J. Lewis, Ypsilanti, Mich assi gnor' to Michigan Ladder Company, a-corporation of Michigan Original application May 16;, 1936,. Serial No'. 80,059. Divided and this application .May 8,

1937, Serial No. 141,455 I This invention relates'to ladders and particularly to step ladders and the present application is divisional w-my c'opending application Serial Number 80,059, filed May 16, 1936, now Patent No. 2,109,886.

An object of the invention is to so mount a pair of platform members on articulated spreaders, connecting the front and back rails of a step ladder, that said members may adjoin edgewise in use of the ladder, to afford very ample standing room.

Another object is to so form one of said platform members that it may be readily grasped to elevate said members and the spreaders to effect collapse of the ladder.

These ,and various other objects the invention attains by the construction hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. I is'a perspective view of the improved ladder.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the ladder expanded.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the collapsed ladder.

In these views, the reference characters I and 2 designate the side rails and steps of the ladder proper, and 3 and 4 the side rails and rungs of the back frame. For hingedly connecting the back frame and ladder proper, a pair of brackets 5 are rigidly secured to the rails I, at their upper ends, as by rivets 6, and project rearwardly from said rails, the back frame being hinged to their rear ends. Thus each bracket has its rear portion formed with a pair of spaced downwardly projecting lugs I, the upper ends of the rails 3 being inserted between such lugs and pivoted thereto by aligned pins 8.

The ladder proper and rear frame are connected, at a suitable level by a pair of articulated spreaders 9, limiting divergency of said ladder and frame and thus determining their positions of use. Each spreader comprises front and rear angle bars having ends pivotally joined by a rivet ID or the like their other ends being pivoted on two rods II rigidly connecting the rails l and the other rails 3. The rivets l0 interengage brackets 12 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the angle bars and projecting downwardly therefrom and toward each other to permit abutment of the connected bars, when aligned. Surmounting each pair of opposed angle irons 9 and attached rigidly thereto by rivets I3 or the like is a board or other platform member Hi. When the step ladder is expanded for use, the members l4 occupy a complementary relation, such asto' form-a; substantially square platform, affording much greater standing room than the usual steps; and: hence; affording a much safer support than such steps. The height thereof above the topmost step is preferably equal to the 5 vertical spacing of the steps, so that it may be conveniently reached. The size of said platform is in fact adequate to accommodate two workmen,

if desired, and the rungs of the back frame are sufliciently sturdy to permit their use as a ladder 10 in mounting to said platform.

One of the members I4, and preferably the front one, is formed with an elongated handhole l5 at its edge adjoining the other of said members, whereby the two members may be readily raised, to collapse the step ladder.

At a point between the upper ends of the rails l and 3, the brackets 5 are connected by a horizontal rod [6 transverse to said brackets, the latter being preferably each formed with a pair of spaced depending lugs IT to receive said rod. Pivoted on said rod is a table member IS, the rod extending along one edge thereof. Preferably said member is of wood marginally engaged, except at said edge by a channel iron reinforcement l9 which projects terminally beyond said edge to pivotally engage the rod l6. As shown, the platform extends from said rod in an approximate semi-circle, the reinforcement l9 projecting slightly above the wooden member, so as to form a slight rim assisting to prevent dislodgment of any tools, implements or utensils from the table. The pins 8 project toward each other sufficiently beyond the bracket 5 to engage beneath the reinforcement [9 when the table member is in horizontal position to maintain such position.

The elongated form of the brackets 5, serves in addition to properly spacing the rails l and 3 at their upper ends to permit said brackets to afford ample supporting area to any board or scaffolding that may be rested thereon.

The described ladder possesses great strength and durability, and affords much greater safety than an ordinary step ladder. A person occupying the platform I4 derives considerably more lateral support from the rails 1 than is afforded when occupying any of the steps of an ordinary step ladder, and the table member l8, together with its pivot rod It, provides a front support, materially aiding an occupant of the platform in preserving his balance. When the platform is occupied by two persons, the table member l8 will be vertically disposed between them.

The invention is presented as including all such upper ends of the front and back rails, a pair of articulated spreaders connecting the front and back rails, and each comprising front and rear elements, adjustable from an aligned spreading position to a relatively angular upwardly projecting position, and a pair of platformrmembers mounted, one on the front elements of the spreaders and the other on the rear elements thereof, said platform members being adjoined edgewise in a flush relation in the aligned positions of said elements, the midportion of the rear edge of the front platform member being spaced from the front edge of the rear platform member to form a hand hold elongated along said edges to facilitate upward swinging of said spreaders. g

2. A step ladder comprising a pair of front rails,

a'pair of back rails, steps carried by and between the front rails, means hingedly connecting the front and back rails at their upper ends, whereby r the ladder may be collapsed, a pair of spreaders pivoted to and connecting the'front and back rails, each spreader consisting of adjoined front and rear bars, the adjoined ends of such bars rigidly carrying brackets downwardly projecting from the bars and having overlapped lower end portions, pivotal connections between such end portions, whereby said Spreaders arearticulated to fold upwardly in collapsing the ladder, a platform including a front member rigidly mounted on the front spreader bars and a rear member rigidly mounted on the rear spreader bars, said tial distance downwardly from the platform, and the two platform members being arranged to nections are safe guarded against excessive shear.

V MELVIN JV. LEWIS.

'15 pivotal connections being established a substan- 

